DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 245 Engrossed 2015 Regular Session Henry
Abstract: Requires that state content standards and assessments reflect direct application to subject
matter proficiency and prohibits such standards and assessments from including content or
questions to measure certain noncognitive skills; provides exceptions.
Present law provides for the development and implementation of state standards for required subjects
by the state Dept. of Education with approval by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary
Education (BESE). Requires standards-based assessments for required subjects (English language
arts, math, science, and social studies) to be implemented by BESE and administered in at least
grades 3-11.
Proposed law retains present law and further provides as follows relative to such standards and
assessments:
(1)Requires that they reflect direct application to subject matter proficiency of students.
(2)Prohibits their inclusion of content or questions to measure noncognitive, emotional,
physical, or psychological characteristics, attributes, or skills of students.
Proposed law excepts the following from the application of proposed law:
(1) Instruction and assessments conducted in physical education classes.
(2) Optional questions on college entrance exams, Advanced Placement exams, International
Baccalaureate exams, and any state assessments administered to students in grades 7-12.
(Adds R.S. 17:24.4(K))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the original bill:
1. Delete the broad prohibition against the use of any method to measure noncognitive,
emotional, physical, or psychological characteristics, attributes, or skills, thus limiting
the prohibition to content or questions on standards-based assessments.
2. Add exceptions to proposed law applicable to certain instruction, assessments, and test questions.